Octane Results:
Hiring

When I first started out as a business leader, I worked alone from a home office. If I needed help, I asked my brothers or hired a freelancer I found online. While a few freelancers turned into long-term contractors, I didn’t have any full-time employees.

But after a few years, it became clear that I needed to open a brick-and-mortar office to keep up with my customers’ demands. A few of my contractors came on board full-time, ready to engage with a team face-to-face. Others, however, weren’t willing to give up the freelancing lifestyle.

I knew I couldn’t stick with freelancers forever—it was time to start interviewing candidates. I’ve come a long way from spending my 9-to-5 at home, and I’ve seen it all in the hiring process.

As most HR and payroll professionals will attest, people are very particular about their pay as are the companies that pay them.

Believe it or not, some US companies still pay people exclusively in cash—presumably to get around paying taxes or to avoid having to document paying people who are unauthorized to work in the country. Other companies refuse to even cut paper checks, instead requiring all employees to be paid by direct deposit. This is perfectly legal as long as the employer does not control which bank or account employees use. (more…)

Did you know every job opening attracts around 250 resumes? And that number can feel like hundreds more if you’re in the midst of starting your own company and searching for the perfect startup team. Before you begin reviewing candidates, consider this checklist of tips for developing a top team.

Choose Experts.

Whatever area you’re looking to recruit in, look for experts in their fields. It’s tempting to hire people and then get in the habit of directing them on how you like things done. If you hire experienced professionals, you should trust that they know the best way to do their job. Explain your goals, describe what you hope to achieve and then give them the space to do what they do best! (more…)

Company culture is a feeling, an emotional component. It’s how all the stakeholders—employees, owners and customers—interact with the business. Simply put: The product or service that the company delivers is its function, but the feeling people have working on that product or service and the feeling that clients have buying that product or service is the culture.

Where does an organization’s culture come from? It’s an outgrowth of the founder’s passion. The culture encompasses shared values of the people who work together every day to produce results and impact the world around them.

What Is a Healthy Company Culture?

Ask yourself these questions: What makes for a healthy and positive company culture? What can negatively impact culture? Who owns the culture? (more…)

Advancing technologies and shifting corporate trends are bringing greater transparency to your company’s inner workings and culture—and that can make building your employment brand a daunting task. If you don’t allow for consistent, engaging and sincere views on the culture and business of your organization, you may cause potential talent to turn away.

To attract the best—and the right—hires, use your branding strategy! Follow these tips to draw in potential hires.

Maintain good online profiles.

Everybody researches everything online, so it’s important to present an engaging, professional identity on all your social platforms—Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and even Quora. Optimize your accounts by featuring descriptions of your vision, your values and your products. (more…)